Anyone who’s followed my blog for a bit, or frankly even stumbled on it and explored a bit, will notice that I’m a freak for geeky things like space travel. I’m also a fan of interesting art. This cool image combines both. Enjoy.

If you loved Straight No Chaser from last year, then be sure you check out the “Christmas Can-Can”.
If you somehow managed not to hear about these guys last year, be sure you check out their previous Christmas Song “Who Spiked The Eggnog“.

I received a Dear John letter from my blog. I’ve decided that I’d better spend some time working on our relationship or else it might leave me for good!

So here, for your approval, is video and a news article about an octopus that nearly drowned one of the scientists observing it. No, silly, not in a 40,000 Leagues Under the Sea kind of way. The scientist was so surprised at the antics of the little sucker(s) that he almost drowned trying to laugh and scuba drive at the same time!

It’s October and the pink campaigners are out in droves. Don’t buy into all the pink marketing out there. The percentages that are donated from pink Doritos and pink Energizer batteries and assorted other pink marketed products are quite minimal. I’m not saying not to get pink batteries or chips or yogurt if you actually need chips or batteries or yogurt, but please consider a direct donation. My favorite place to donate this year is the BoobieThon. The page I’ve linked to is safe for work and little eyes, but do beware if you decide to check out the gallery. It’s definitely NSFW and may or may not be safe for LE.

Before you check out the YouTube videos that I’ll link below, be sure you read the news story about Kseniya Simonova.

Are you back? Excellent. As noted in the news article, Kseniya got involved in Ukraine’s Got Talent in order to benefit a child with leucosis that developed following a vaccination. The first YouTube video I found from her shows the story in real time of the family’s fight to save their daughter and ends with a plea to “Give the life to little Anasasia“. After entering Ukraine’s Got Talent, Simonova was an instant hit. The video is, unfortunately, in Ukrainian (or Russian?) so I’m not entirely sure what the story of her first UGT entry is.

And here’s her winning performance, the one I made you read about first. It helps to know the back story, but I didn’t when I first saw the video. Even without knowing the story and without the sound I found the video evocative and couldn’t tear my eyes away. If any video on YouTube deserves to go viral, these do.

Update: After watching the first entry again, I think it’s a “Cat’s Cradle” kind of story. A young man grows up and doesn’t learn how much his parents mean to him until it’s too late. What do you think?

Everyone needs to indulge in a good screed every now and then. Banned Books Week is almost over. Here’s your shopping list. I challenge you to read at least one book on this list and then share it with your children, if you have them, before Monday.